Crystal Adams, Executive Director of the said the first pulls of crab were amazing, with high volume. The second pulls were not as bountiful.
She doesn鈥檛 expect this season to be as robust as last year鈥檚, which she says was the best in decades. Last year, more than 30,000 pounds of crab were pulled in.
Dungeness crab is usually the biggest single-species fishery for Oregon.
鈥淔or the coast, this is the biggest industry that we have,鈥� said Adams. 鈥淚t raises the most money for the community. Not only does it provide many, many jobs, but it feeds families for the year. Some vessels only do crab, so it鈥檚 really important that they have a decent season.鈥�
The Dungeness Crab Commission says the value of the fishery has ranged from $33 million to $74 million in the past ten years.
For many Oregonians, Dungeness crab is a traditional holiday menu item.
鈥淲ith the exception of just a few seasons, I鈥檝e had crab for Christmas every year my whole life,鈥� Adams said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big part of our tradition.鈥�
Adams said there are lots of at the commission鈥檚 website. It also includes a of local businesses that sell Oregon Dungeness crab.
The season opened from Cape Foulweather (north of Newport) south to the California border on Dec. 16. The opening will extend north to Cape Falcon on Dec. 31. The northernmost portion may open by mid-January, depending on the size of the crab.
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